Tag Archives: City Council District 32 race

The race for City Council District 32 has yet to be certified, and candidate Lew Simon is still holding onto the possibility of a victory.

Following Election Day, the Board of Elections’ (BOE) unofficial results show the incumbent, Councilmember Eric Ulrich, winning by 1,138 votes on the Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines.

Democrat Lew Simon received almost 47 percent of the vote, compared to Ulrich’s roughly 53 percent.

However, Simon’s camp said he does not plan on conceding until all remaining absentee ballots are counted, and the race is BOE certified.

The BOE did not have an official timeline for certification, but according to unofficial results, the remaining ballots should not outnumber the standing difference.

Ulrich said he has yet to get a concession call in any race, including 2009’s Special Election, also against Simon.

“Simon hasn’t conceded to me since 2009. I’m still waiting for that phone call,” he said.

As the clock ticks closer to city primaries on Tuesday, September 10, The Courier would like to provide you, the reader and the voter, with a fair, detailed guide of who is running. Here is a list of the City Council District 32 primary candidates (Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, South Richmond Hill and Woodhaven), who they are, what they stand for and what they want to continue to do if they go on to the general election in November.

Name: Lew M. Simon

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Private school teacher, Assembly District Leader

Personal Info: Simon was born and raised in Rockaway. He has been a community and civic leader for over 30 years. He works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, helping all who need help.

Platform/Issues: To secure funding and build much-needed schools. Make school safety and stopping bullying a priority. Reduce busing and keep siblings together in neighborhood schools. Establish an HOV lane on Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards during peak hours. See that every community has a good community hospital with a well-equipped emergency room. Will continue to fund all senior centers, Meals-on-Wheels and Access-A-Ride. Will increase funding for volunteer fire and ambulance departments. Increase the staffing levels so that each community board will have a building inspector. Will continue to fund the fight for additional firefighters and police officers. Support direct mass transit service to midtown Manhattan in less than 30 minutes (Rockaway Beach rail line). Clean up graffiti in Woodhaven and Ozone Park.

Name: William Ruiz

Party: Democrat

*The campaign for this candidate did not submit a profile as of press time